Sri Lanka's Dilshan fined for excessive appealing

Colombo, Apr 6: Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan was on Friday fined 10 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for excessive appealing during the second Test between his side and England at the P Sara Oval here on Thursday.

Dilshan was charged with a Level 1 offence, contrary to clause 2.1.5 which covers “excessive appealing and excessive shall include a) repeated appeal of the same decision/appeal and b) celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given”.

Dilshan pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The incident took place during the England first innings with Sri Lanka bowling. In over number 88.2, after delivering the ball, the bowler Dilshan ran towards the striker’s end celebrating a dismissal before the decision had been given. When he reached the other end he turned around and appealed repeatedly.

Javagal Srinath of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, said: “Dilshan accepted the charge and the penalty imposed without qualms and so there was no need for a formal hearing.”

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford and third umpire Rod Tucker, of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, as well as fourth official Ranmore Martinesz.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.